Timm Schleiff

Working with my hands has always been what I enjoy doing. I grew up working alongside my father in our family's custom home building business, as well as on the family farm. Coming from strong familial European ties, I have been exposed to a wide range of traditions which present themselves particularly in the areas of architecture and construction techniques.

 

When I was 17, I founded my own business and built my first wooden boat, a 17' Herreshoff sailboat. After showing it at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, CT, the boat and I were featured in Soundings magazine. From 2007 to 2010 I expanded my skills and interests in woodworking and expanded my company to include custom sawing with my thin kerf sawmill, custom boats, timber framing, and fine home carpentry. I built a variety of boats ranging from a 17 foot Herreshoff Coquina sailboat to William Atkin's Rescue Minor - an efficient launch with an inboard Diesel - and John Atkin's 22 foot Ninigret bass-boat. I also completed repairs on a number of boats including the TAZA, an 88 foot former French coastguard patrol cutter.

 

In the spring of 2010, I decided to take a break from running my business full time in order to study traditional cabinet and furniture making at Boston's North Bennet Street School. NBSS is one of the nation's best woodworking schools and I was fortunate to study under Dan Faia, Alex Krutsky, Steve Brown, and the legendary Lance Patterson. Upon graduation I was hired by Corlis Design and construction as Shop Manager. There I built a variety of custom furniture ranging from large gun cabinets to architectural elements including built-in mahogany bookcases, a fireplace mantle, and a Greene and Greene style kitchen island.

 

The year 2013 marks the start of a new chapter in my life as a craftsman. With the purchase of an old limestone quarry just outside of Lewisburg, WV (voted America's Coolest Small Town, 2011), dreams of building a permanent shop space with attached design studio/office space and showroom are becoming reality. It is a longtime dream to live and work in a private location within walking distance of the wonderful Lewisburg community.

 

I plan to maintain sustainable practices in my business, working primarily in locally harvested wood that I mill myself, composting the shavings, and making a general effort to reduce the business’ environmental impact. Eventually I hope to have studio and living spaces for other artisans on the property, and to invite them to sell their work in the showroom.

 

Below are a few kind words from my good friend Cliff Baker.

 

“I met Timm when he was 11 years old and joined the local Boy Scout troop. During the next 7 years, I had the privilege of getting to know him very well and helped guide him on his journey to become an Eagle Scout. Along the way, we have traveled to Japan, England, and central Europe, backpacked along 600 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and camped in all weather conditions. He consistently demonstrated that he can set goals, achieve them, and do his best in all that he does.

 

Timm is an artist whose medium is wood. He is constantly exploring new ways to utilize wood and apply his woodworking skills. Timm's professional career is guided by three principles: his love of wood, his appreciation of history, and his dedication to craftsmanship. Furniture, boats, architectural elements...there is really no way of telling what Timm's future will hold, but one thing is for certain: he will be creating beautiful works out of wood.”

 

-Cliff Baker

 

Return